w.atching the w.orld unw.ind

Today's lyric:
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"We can watch our troubles rise like smoke into the air
And drift up to the ceiling, down in the blue chair."

Elvis Costello: "Blue chair"
From the album: "Blood and Chocolate"

Buddy wrote recently about the power of t'Internet to bring people (back) together.

This mirrored my own experience of this phenomenon and today, I will be following this up in person because said friend is over here visiting his parents and we are meeting up for the first time in, yes, over 30 years.

PS (and that's a clue) I may cry*

Enjoy your weekends, y'all

* Despite my innate cynicism and having a back like a carapace, I'm a soft fcuker really..

Labels: Red Letter Days

Today's lyric:
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"We met when we were in school
Never took no shit from no one, we weren't fools
The teacher says we're dumb
We're only having fun
We piss on everyone
In the classroom."

The Clash: "Stay free"
From the album: "Give 'em enough rope"

30 years ago, my best mate from college came to dinner, having just spent 6 months in 'open' for drug-related offences. He got easily wrecked on two glasses of whisky and then disappeared abroad, never to be heard from again.

We guessed it was to sever himself from a life which was leading him seriously astray. But he was missed.

Despite regular searches of Friends Reunited etc., we never did manage to make contact again, during the whole lifetime which has unrolled and unravelled since that night.

So when we got home yesterday, and Mrs.D. picked up the postcard from Thailand that Number One Son had left on the 'phone table, all she could repeat was "Oh my God!"

Phil had sent us his e-mail address, with a behest to get in touch? Jeez, there is so much to tell and hear about. Where would you start?

And lord knows from where he got our address?

When we parted for what, I believe, neither of us knew was to be the final time, I forgot to give him the record I'd bought for his release, from which the lyrics above are taken. I've still got the vinyl album. Maybe I'll be able to deliver that gift, one day now?

Labels: Red Letter Days

Today's lyric:
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"Used to sleep through the night peacefully
Not a care in the world got to me
But now I lay me down to sleep
Im afraid of what I might see
I wake up screamin' when your dream goes by."

Albert Lee and Hogan's Heroes: "Wake up screaming"
From the album: "Between the cracks"

>

(Inevitably) drawn back to Pompey again last night to see the inimitable Albert Lee and Hogan's Heroes play at the Eastney Cellars, ably supported by the up-and-coming Lucie Diamond.

Proper blues riffs. Proper honky tonk piano. And proper pedal steel guitar.

Climbed into our pit at 1:00 a.m., ears still ringing from the rockin'.

God - I love live music!

Labels: gigs, Red Letter Days

Today's lyric:
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"I remember when the air was sweet
And I brought home the fish to eat
Now we buy Spam from the grocery store
Cause you can eat the fish no more."

Ry Cooder & Little Village: "Do you want my job?"
From the album: "Little Village"

Buddy and I fished 'under the guns' of Frazer shore battery in Portsmouth on Saturday.

The day started cool and overcast, so sweatshirts were necessary, but pretty soon, as the sun came out, they came off, just as the whole male population of the city's nudists decided to occupy our patch of shingle for their tan-topping-upping.

Todgers to the left, todgers to the right.

All we caught was crabs...

Labels: Angling, Red Letter Days

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"You're running with me - don't touch the ground
We're the restless-hearted - not the chained and bound.

The sky is burning, a sea of flame
Though your world is changing - I will be the same."

Bryan Ferry: "Slave to love"

Though the arrival was delayed by two hours, it was worth seeing the Kaskelot (as The Zong) arriving at Tower Pier today.

Courtesy of my 'friend in high places'
(and many thanks again, E. for keeping the rain off the lens) I watched her glide under the bridge

and come to rest at Tower Pier
.

With the tugs' work done

she lay dwarfed by the wharfage

and I was left wondering what a slave's eye view would have been like?

Labels: Red Letter Days

Today's lyric:
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"He saw her in the morning out with his sister Pauline
She felt all shy and soppy, he acted cool and cocky
He said tonight at Charlie's, there's going to be a party
I'll meet you at half seven? She visualised the heaven."

Squeeze: "Slap and tickle"
From the album: "The very best of Squeeze"

As I'm due to be off tomorrow (post-postponed hols from 2006) I may just wander in to the capitol and watch the Zong sail up the Thames (scroll down for news of the actual event).

In case the weather turns, I'm soliciting an (ex-Blogger) in high places to see if there's a vantage point to be gained for some more unusual shots (photos)...

Oh - there was a bloke wandering along London Bridge this morning with an armful of fluorescent tubes. I was tempted to ask if he had a light.?

Labels: Red Letter Days

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"There she blows. Tear-me-down tornado
Whirlpool - drag me to the deeps below

Whirlwind - will a wild cat strike me tame?
Earthquake - shake me to my feet again

As cross words go you leave a fatal clue I fear
This case is closed - elementally, my dear....

Beware whirl-wind
Whirl, whirl-wind."

Roxy Music: "Whirlwind"
From the album: "Siren"

Colleague-less (which is why I've had to curtail my furlough) it's going to be a manic few days here in the capitol.

But at least we've the weekend to look forward to, with a St. Paddy's Day celebration (+ alcohol!) courtesy of Buddy and Mrs Buddy.

Ooh, I can just taste the Guins and the red now...

Labels: Red Letter Days

Today's lyric:
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"Gonna hit the road, one last time
We can walk right in, and steal 'em blind
All that money (all that money)
No more runnin' (no more runnin')
And I can't wait to see the old man's face, when I win the race."

The Eagles: "Bitter Creek"
From the album: "Desperado"

It was Mrs.D's and NOS' birthday yesterday.

As alcohol was 'in the building' I was permitted two glasses of the red. My God, it was like nectar. (Not that I've ever drunk nectar, but I can just imagine...)

Time out from work will mean that posts are less punctual (and perhaps even punctilious?) for a few days...

Labels: Cakery, Red Letter Days